Tutorial: Quick and Easy Holiday Frame with Xyron

Happy Monday! Today the Xyron team is kicking off a fun Facebook event, 30 days of holiday inspiration. Today is one of my days to share! For my project today I wanted to share a really quick project idea for you. I love this project because you can truly do it in under 30 minutes. It is great for not only your own home decor, but also as a gift! Best of all, it uses very minimal supplies, just one sheet of paper, one embellishment pack, and basic tools. So easy!

Begin with a small wooden photo frame. I have shared many times how I buy frames that are already painted in the clearance section at Hobby Lobby. These frames are originally priced around $7.99. I bought this frame on clearance for only $1.69. Since they are already painted on the sides and backs, they are a major time saver. You can use unpainted frames, but for a nice finish, you will probably want to paint the sides and back.

I keep a stock pile of these frames on hand. When I am ready to craft, I pick one that is a color that coordinates with the pattern paper I plan to use. For this project I chose paper and embellishments from Crate Paper’s Bundled Up collection.

Remove the glass and easel back from the frame. Set them aside. I don’t really like to measure, so I cut a piece of paper that is slightly larger than my frame. I usually eyeball it. No need for straight edges so I use my scissors for quick cutting. I make sure to keep two sides of the pattern paper so that I know I have two straight edges. If you cut from the middle of the paper, you will probably want to pull out your paper trimmer to make sure you have two straight sides.

Run the piece of paper through the Xryon Creative Station to apply adhesive to the back of the paper.

I apply the paper to the frame adhesive side down to the front of the frame. Use the two straight sides to line up with two edges of the frame. Smooth the paper down onto the frame with your hand.

Flip the frame over. Use a craft knife to cut away excess paper from the edges of the frame. Place the blade right next to the edge of the frame. A fresh blade will give you a clean cut. A “chewed” edge is an indication that you need a fresh blade. Be sure to always work on a self healing cutting mat when working with a craft knife. You will get a better cut and will protect your work surface.

To add a contrast to the frame, a strip of pattern paper across the bottom. I often use the back side of the paper I used for the front of the frame. For this frame, I chose to tear the paper to add a soft edge and to (hopefully) look like a hill.

Apply adhesive to the back of the paper using a Xyron Creative Station.

Remove the clear liner. While the pattern paper is still on the Xyron strip, use an ink blending tool to blend Vintage Photo Distress Ink onto the torn edge.

Adhere the paper strip to the front of the frame as desired. (In hindsight, I wish I had adhered this one a little lower.)

Flip the frame over and use a craft knife to trim away any excess paper.

Use a sanding grip to lightly sand the edges of the frame. Sanding will help the paper blend into the edge of the frame and will look more finished.

Use an ink blending tool to brush Vintage Photo Distress Ink onto the edges of the frame.

Lightly sand the edges the chipboard embellishments. Use an ink blending tool to lightly ink the edges of the pieces. Sanding helps knock off the slick finish on the pieces so that the ink will adhere.

Adhere the snowman to the lower right of the frame using adhesive foam squares.

Adhere the snowflake medallion to the upper left corner of the frame. Remove the top center mini snowflake.

Remove a snowflake from one of the alpha banners.

Adhere the small snowflake to the center of the snowflake from the banner using a Xyron Adhesive Dot. Adhere the assembled snowflake cluster to the lower left corner of the frame. Embellish the center of the snowflake with an adhesive gem.

Adhere the small Merry Christmas Banner to the snowman. Add a few gems as desired.

Isn’t that snowman the cutest? I smile every time I look at it! I know just the photo for this frame too. I can’t wait to pull out the picture box and put it in the frame! I hope that I helped to show you a quick gift idea that you can use this holiday season!

Be sure to keep an eye on the Xyron Facebook page for the next 30 days for even more great holiday project ideas. You can find it at: https://www.facebook.com/xyroninc.

You could use a decoupage glue like Mod Podge. It will add more time to the project, but it works great. I have a tutorial with decoupage tips: http://tammytutterow.com/2011/03/decoupage-101/. There are also adhesive sheets on the market that would be most like using a Xyron (ie no drying time, no mess). Therm O Web, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L, and Recollections (Michaels store brand) all have sheets. You can buy the red line tape in sheets but it is pricey so I would look at one of the other options.